Climbing the first pitch of Via Maria

Via Maria starts up the chimney. It's very popular today (and I guess that that's normal), and one group after another is climbing it. If you look closely, you'll see three people on and next to the chockstone higher up. One of those is belayed from the bottom, the others are a different pair. There are more people higher up, and others, like us, waiting their turn to start. Just to the right of the chimney is a different route, Via Gross, and although not quite as busy, there are several climbers on it as well. According to our guidebook, Via Maria is grade IV+, Via Gross grade V-. Outside this photo, there is yet another route a little left of the chimney, Piaz Arete, grade VI. Less busy, but there were a couple of climbers on that route too. 7 Aug 2016.